Spanish-American War

Maine

In retaliation from the Cuban's trying to gain their independence from the Spanish with the help of the U.S. Spain put many of the Cubans in concentration camps. The U.S. then went in and broadcast many images taken in Cuba along with the stories of the horrors going on in Cuba in order to gain the support and empathy from the American people. To gain control again the US sent a navy war ship into Cuba with 354 crew members aboard. However, it was blown up and suggestions that the Spanish blew up the US ship began to form.

Battle Of Manilla

When American president ordered Spain to end the concentration camps, they listened. However, the Spanish continued killing the Cuban people. This forced the United States to send in troops. The U.S. was successful in doing so and on April 19, 1898 Cuba declared its independence. Two weeks later war was declared in the Philippians in retaliation.

After the Battle of Manilla, several little battles followed. Of those included: Battle of Santiago, Battle of San Juan Hill. During which Teddy Roosevelt stepped down as Assisted Secretary of the Navy and started a volunteer Calvary force. They called themselves the Rough Riders and they were the first Volunteer force in American History.

Treaty of Paris

Following all of the little battles between the U.S./Cuba and Spanish came the Treaty of Paris. Having taken many losses and outnumbered the Spanish had no choice but to relinquish their reign in Cuba. The Treaty of Paris gave the United States gains control of the Philippians, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cuba. The U.S. paid 20 million dollars for all four territories and as promised before the U.S. gave Cuba its independence. In addition the U.S. also gained Hawaii, Samoa, and Wake as U.S. territories.

Imperialist

Expanding the American Empire was not looked upon highly by everyone in the U.S. Imperialist feared that adding all of the new territories would result in the loss of American jobs.

Emilio Aguinaldo

Was the Philippine Islands leader. He fought along side the U.S. in the Spanish American War. However, when the U.S. annexed the Philippine Islands and gained control as a U.S. Colony. Emilio Aguinaldo like Cuba wanted the Philippines to have their own Independence. So the U.S. and Philippines began to fight for over three years. The guerrilla warfare continued for over three years, and only relinquished when the Philippians ran out of supplies. Eventually, the U.S. did grant them their Independence.